Must-read indie romances: ‘Behind the Bars’ and ‘The Wright Secret’

Cherry weaves an emotionally searing story that explores the intersection of race, family and romantic relationships. Jasmine’s mom is an extreme stage mom. She’s pushed her daughter to pursue singing, acting and dancing, thrusting her own dreams on her, without caring about what Jasmine wants. But when Jasmine meets the socially awkward and lonely Elliott at school, his talent and good spirits allow her to give voice to her own wants. She tries to protect Eli as much as she can from the constant bullying in school, but when her mother forces her to go to London and she’s separated from him, it forever changes the trajectory of their lives and relationship.

Everything, from the New Orleans setting to the progression of the characters and their zest for music, beats with rhythm and is lush with passion. Jasmine and Elliot’s relationship is one that’s found in friendship, but it slowly crescendos to something more over the course of the story and strengthens from the travesties and issues of their history. In trying to save each other, they both begin to heal themselves and start to believe that they’re both strong enough to deal with whatever comes their way. Jasmine standing up for Elliott is not only heroic but a true testament to the strength of her character — she’s barely hanging on herself but sacrifices her pride to ease Elliott’s life. Behind the Bars deftly explores the consequences of emotional and physical bullying and brilliantly demonstrates how one’s grief can be channeled into something impactful. (See an excerpt on HEA of Behind the Bars.)

The Wright Secret by K.A. Linde

After years of giving it her all, Morgan Wright has finally become the CEO of Wright Construction and wants to do her best to take the company to new heights. And when her longtime crush and brother’s best friend begins to look at her in a different light, she thinks that her life couldn’t get any better. But with her uncle, the head of the Canadian branch of their company, snooping around and sabotaging her plans to remain CEO, Morgan is ready to fight for the man and the career she’s spent her entire life working toward.

The Wright Secret is an empowering love story that challenges the stereotypical alpha-male trope and refreshingly puts a woman in the front seat of a relationship. Patrick, as protective he is about Morgan, readily stands by her side as she successfully takes on the reins of her family company and fights to prove the doubters wrong. Linde crafts a couple who complement each other in their drive and passion toward their careers and each other.

With the 2018 Women’s March right around the corner, The Wright Secret is an inspiring story that further enhances the romance genre and adds realistic women’s issues in the workplace into the mix.

Kamrun Nesa is a blogger, writer, and hopeless bookworm. Give her a good happily-ever-after and you got yourself a new best friend. She works in the publicity department at Grand Central Publishing, but will recommend only indie romances for HEA. Her work can be found on BookBub, HelloGiggles and Bustle as well. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.